LECLAIRE
RIVERMAN
Part 9
HEIDENREICH
WILLIAM
William Heidenreich was the
watchman on the Jennie Gilchrist when the boat lost a cam rod and struck the
bridge on October 27, 1881. He claimed
that he did not know his duty included watching over the passengers to get them
safely off the boat.
1880 Census
State of
Kaltenbracker Charles Head 52
Machinist
Alvena Wife
40 Housekeeping
Charles Son 12 At school
Harry Son 8 At school
Heidenreick William Other 18
Apprentice
Harker William Other
17 Apprentice
White
Oliver P. Other 44
Rapid Pilot
THE
RIVER
The steamer
Nellie, Captain Whitney which has been engaged in these waters through the
summer in government and city service, passed down early this morning with a
barge in tow, and having French & Co.’s circus on board. The company consists of
some twenty-five people and five horses and carry a tent that allows
covering for an audience of 600 to 800 people.
The circus exhibited at LeClaire yesterday,
and shows at Keithsburg today. They proceed south, and spend the winter in
showing at small places on every stream which can be navigated by the Nellie.
ITEMS IN BRIEF
A fireman
named William Heitenreight (Heidenreich), on the
steamer Nellie, which went down the river with French’s circus, was drowned
near
HE
WAS MURDERED.
Our readers
will recollect the announcement of the death of a young man named George Schliedwein (Heidenreich), who lived in LeClaire,
and was drowned off the steamer Nellie, below Cape Girardeau, as she was en
route south with Robert’s circus. It
occurred last month. Mr. Charles Seims, at the request of the mother of the deceased and
other relatives in this city, has been to
JOHNSON CHARLES
Photo by Bob Jones
…”One of the crew, Charles Johnson of LeClaire, also had a remarkable experience. He also was lying in his berth in the cabin,
asleep. He was blown through the outside
door, or window, of his room, on his mattress, falling about forty feet from
the boat in the river, where he caught a big oar that came sailing his way, and
straddling this he paddled himself ashore without a scratch. Without reporting back to the wreck, Mr.
Johnson made his way to McGregor where he enjoyed himself for a few days, and
then commandeering an old “dug-out” which was somewhat insecurely locked, he
started for his home in LeClaire. In the meantime news of the wreck had reached
his home and he had been reported among the lost. His family mourned him as dead, and inscribed
the date of his demise in the family bible, and began negotiating for a
mortuary slab to be erected to his memory.
Within a few days the dead man was sighted paddling his dug-out toward
the levee by some boys who were in swimming.
It is said that they did not stop for their clothes, but fled from the
specter for their homes: and it is said that as Johnson passed though the town
he cleared the streets wherever he went of both great and small, the people believing
that it was a sure enough ghost, and not a flesh and blood visitant that had
arrived from above. “--George B. Merrick, Steamboats and Steamboatmen
of the Upper Mississippi”
The Saturday Evening Post of
I expect that
Charley (Windy) Johnson and I have pulled him (S. R Van Sant)
from Beef Slough to Muscatine without hearing a murmur (that is, a mummer from
him), but you might have heard the linesman doing a great deal of
murmuring. Sometimes as soon as we had
gotten the lines on at the slough we would pull out for
Did anyone
ever hear of a strike on a Van Sant and Musser
boat? I never did. There wasn’t anything to strike for. Of course there were times when we had to
work hard but so you did on all the boats and we lived better than any ordinary
hotel all of the time and not a boat on the river led us in wages. One day when Windy and I had pulled him out
to
When we got
back to the boat after about a ten mile pull I went up to the office to
investigate, as I hadn’t examined my envelope for several trips, just putting
them back in the safe, and I found that not only were we getting thirty-five
but that the linesmen were getting forty dollars.
“Sketch of Capt. S. R.
Van Sant”, Saturday Evening Post
The Daily Times, Tuesday, December 4, 1906, page 7.
Johnson
Chas.
A. Johnson of LeClaire died suddenly yesterday
afternoon about 6 o’clock at Dr. Bailey’s office in LeClaire,
the cause of death being apoplexy. Mr.
Johnson first complained of a bad headache about 10 o’clock Monday morning and
as it did not seem to abate in the least, some of his friends persuaded him to
go to a doctor. After walking to the
Doctor’s office he suddenly grew worse and continued so until his death. His death was a shock to all who knew him, as
Mr. Johnson had the appearance of being a strong, healthy man.
Mr.
Johnson was born in
The funeral
announcements will be made later.
The Davenport Democrat and Leader, Tuesday, December 4,
1906, page 14.
WELL KNOWN RIVER MAN DIES SUDDENLY
_____________
Charles Johnson of LeClaire
Expired After Bursting Open Blood Vessel.
_____________
Mr. Johnson
was running after a street car early in the day and as the result of too much
exertion sustained a broken blood vessel.
He walked back to a physician’s office and became unconscious and at the
hour stated above passed away.
Mr. Johnson
was one of the prominent river men. He
was a power boat clammer and had planned for an
extensive clamming season for next year.
He was born in
The funeral
will be held Wednesday afternoon with services at the
KEM JOHN
The only time 11 was and captain, and Geo. Trombley Sr. was second. I am not sure, but think Sam
Maxwell was head engineer and his brother, who was a good deal of dandy, was
second. John Hanley was mate, Dan Hanley and I think Jake Berger, fireman. Jo Gallinor, if I remember correctly, was in charge of the
kitchen. Bill (Muzzy) Carr and Geo. Trombley Jr. were
running line, John Kim and Orrin Thompson were two of the men on deck and I
believe the others were Hugh Sweeny, Charley (Windy) Johnson, Tom Malley and John Anderson but am not sure.
We built some little shacks on the bow of the
rail and we put in considerable time down there. Some of the lads were quite
small in fact they would only hold one person at a time. I remember Kim and
Thompson had one in partnership and there was considerable maneuvering to see
which could get the inside track and they used to work many sharp tricks to
secure occupancy. Both were very much afraid of snakes and snakes were quite
numerous that season. One day Kim was laying in the
hut about half asleep and Thompson looking in said, “Look out for that snake
Kim.” As Kim made a hasty exit Thompson crawled in and settled down for a nap.
In the course of an hour Kim came by and hollered out, “Look out for the snake,
Orrin.” And Orrin sort of grinned remarking that he wasn’t as big a sucker as
some folks and leisurely turning over to resume his nap when he put his hand
right on a big snake about two inches in diameter and about 4 feet long which
was lying on the log right beside him.
Thompson and the snake both came right up thru
the top of the shanty and demolished it so completely that they didn’t bother
to rebuild more especially as they were both so badly frightened as regards
snakes that they hunted the highest logs they could to sun themselves on and
where they had a plain view of any snakes that might wish to become too
sociable during the rest of the trip.
John Kim, I remember, was at the far end of the line as we
stood along the bulkhead and just as we had enough to steady the jack John
deliberately limped up to John Hanley to explain to him that he was suffering
from rheumatism and that he could not stand to get in the cold water. John
Hanley explained to him very briefly that he wasn’t hiring rheumatics and that
it was up to him (John Kim) to get in the water right now, and he got. If he
had stood still he would have been safe as he passed several to get to the
front and was I believe the last man needed.--RECOLLECTIONS OF A. D. SUMMERS
Collected From “THE OLD BOATS” Additional Information from Men Who Knew
Them The Saturday Evening Post Burlington Iowa
1885
Kem John 32 Laborer
Melinda 29
Daniel 8
Mary 7
1920 Census
Kem John Head 52 Farmer
Malinda Wife 53 None
Note: The Davenport
Democrat and Leader states the John Kem is from
Princeton and
The Davenport Democrat and Leader, Sunday Morning, April 13, 1930, page 8.
JOHN W. KEIM IS SUMMONED
_____________
Well Known Ex-Resident Of
_____________
John W. Kem,
Mr. Kem was born in
Surviving besides
the widow is a son Daniel Kem of
Funeral services
will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at the McGinnis Funeral Home with burial in
The Daily Times, Saturday, April 12, 1930, page 2.
JOHN W. KEM, WELL KNOWN
_____________
John W. Kem, well known
Mr. Kem was born March 7, 1851, in
Surviving besides
his widow are one son, Daniel A. Kem of
Funeral services will
be held Monday at the McGinnis Funeral Home.
Interment will be made in
The Davenport Democrat and Leader, Tuesday Evening, April 15, 1930, page 17.
The Kem Funeral
Funeral services for
John W. Kem were held at the McGinnis Funeral Home at
2 p.m. Monday. The Rev. A. H. Ziemer officiated.
Burial was made in
Mrs. Harriet Basemann and Finley McGinnis sang “Some Day When the Shadows Flee Away” and “Beautiful Garden of Prayer.”
Pallbearers were H. B. Tomasek, Alfred Spink, W. S. Knapp, Harry Lancaster, S. A. Sargent and John Rippie.
MCCAFFREY JACK (JOHN) CAPTAIN
Capt. John McCaffrey, LeClaire,
Ia., was born in Ireland, 1842, son of James and Mary (Murray) McCaffrey,
natives of Ireland, who emigrated to the United States when the captain was a
mere child, and located in St. Louis, where he resided until his death, which
occurred in 1850. Mother died about the
same time leaving a family of five children, viz:
Mary (now the wife of Henry Spinsby), Phillip, Kate
(now the wife of George Tromley), Sarah, (now the
wife of Stephen Rhodes), and John. The
captain commenced his river life in 1856, as a raft hand, and he said then if
he got through with his trip he would leave the river, but becoming acquainted
with the life still prosecuted the business since. March 24, 1868, married Miss Sarah J.
Davenport, a daughter of A. J. Davenport, an early settler of
Photos by Bob Jones. This is the headstone of little Robert Adrian
the son of Jack and Sarah McCaffrey who did not live to adulthood.
The Davenport Democrat and Leader, Monday Evening,
July 30, 1917, page 12.
CAPTAIN JACK M’CAFFREY DIES AT BATTLE CREEK
____________________
Was One of the Pioneer Raft Pilots on the
____________________
Captain Jack
McCaffrey, for many years one of the best known raft boat pilots on the Upper
Mississippi river, died Sunday at the sanitarium at
Some five
years ago Captain McCaffrey went to
Captain
McCaffrey was born in
With the decline of this industry Captain McCaffrey retired
from active river pursuit and moved to
The deceased
had been in failing health for some time and last week was taken to the
Surviving are the three sons, Frank, Jack and
Duke and a niece, Mrs. Minnie McCraney of
The Daily Times, Monday, July 30, 1917, page 14.
DEATH SUMMONS CAPT. MCCAFFREY
____________
WELL KNOWN OLD RAFT PILOT DIES AT
____________
Captain Jack
McCaffrey, well known raft pilot on the Mississippi River, who for years
resided in
Captain
McCaffrey was a well known raft pilot in the early days on the
Captain
McCaffrey’s first boat was the steam James Means which he owned and operated
for a number of years. Later he
purchased the boats owned by Schuenburg &
Buckler, of
He is survived
by three sons, Frank, Jack and Duke, a sister, Mrs. Sarah Rhoads and a niece,
Mrs. Minnie McCraney.
The body will probably arrive in LeClaire
Wednesday.
The Davenport Democrat and Leader, July 31, 1917, page
11.
McCaffrey Funeral
Funeral
services of Captain John McCaffrey, pioneer raft pilot, whose death occurred at
The body will
be shipped to LeClaire, the former home of the
family, where internment will take place in the
The
pallbearers will be E. M. Sharon, William Chamberlin, T. J. Stebbins, Waldo
Becker, W. D. Petersen and O. B. Grant.
Bishop Morrison will officiate at the chapel and at the grave. Friends are invited to attend the services at
the chapel, but internment will be private.
The Daily Times, Tuesday, July 31, 1917, page 7.
McCaffrey Funeral
The funeral
services of Capt. John McCaffrey will be held at 10:30 o’clock Wednesday
morning from the M. V. Boies chapel,
The Davenport Democrat
and Leader, Wednesday Evening, August 1, 1917, page11.
The McCaffrey Funeral
Funeral
services of Captain John McCaffrey, pioneer raft pilot, were held at the M. V. Boies chapel,
Pallbearers
were E. M. Sharon, Wm. Chamberlin, T. J. Stebbins, Waldo Becker, W. D. Petersen
and O. B. Grant.
The Daily Times, Wednesday, August 1, 1917, page 7.
McCaffrey Funeral
The funeral of
Captain John McCaffrey, the aged river captain, whose death occurred early this
week, was held this morning at 10:30 o’clock from the M. V. Bois Co. chapel,
E. M. Sharon,
Wm. Chamberlain, T. J. Stebbins, Waldo Becker, W. D. Petersen, and O. B. Grant
served as pallbearers. The services in LeClaire cemetery, where burial was made, were private.
MCCAFFREY JACK (JOHN) CAPTAIN
1880 Census Town of
McCaffrey John 37 River Pilot
Sarah J
35 Wife
Frank
10 Son
Henry 9 Son
John 7 Son
1885 State Census LeClaire
McCaffrey John 42 Pilot
Sarah M 40
Frank 15
Henry 14
Jack 11
Hankins
Maria 18 Servant
Morning Democrat, Wednesday, September 4, 1957, page
6.
Capt. Jack
McCaffrey, former steamboat captain and a native of LeClaire,
has died at his home, in
(Unreadable) University and the
Capt.
McCaffrey operated steamboats on the Mississippi River as a young man and after
the decline of packet transportation, operated boats on the
He is survived
by his wife.
Services and
burial will be held in
The Daily Times, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 1957, page 12.
LECLAIRE
_______
Ex-Pilot On River Is Dead
Capt. Jack
McCaffrey, former steamboat captain and a native of LeClaire
had died at his home in Tallulah, La.
He was born in
1874 in LeClaire, and attended Northwestern
University and the State University of Iowa.
Capt.
McCaffrey operated steamboats on the Mississippi River as a young man and after
the decline of packet transportation, operated boats on the Hudson, Tennessee
and Cumberline rivers. With the advent of present day tows on the
Mississippi, he returned as a master pilot with the Federal Barge Lines,
retiring in 1945 in the rank of senior captain.
He is survived
by his wife.
Services and burial will be in Tallulah, La.
MCCALL EDMUND (EDWARD)
The Davenport Democrat and Leader, Wednesday, June 6,
1906, page 2.
LECLAIRE
William
Nesbitt and Ed McCall who are employed on the drill boats visited last
Wednesday at home.
1910 Census
LeClaire Township Town of LeClaire County of Scott State of Iowa
McCall
Thomas
Head 75 Own Income
Margaret Wife 71 Wife
Edward (Edmund) Son 27 Driller River Steamboat
Eugene
Grandson 18 Deck Hand River Steamboat
The Davenport Democrat and Leader, Wednesday Evening,
September 2, 1931, page 15.
EDMUND H. MCCALL, FORMER RESIDENT OF LECLAIRE, DIES
______________
Edmund H.
McCall, a former resident of LeClaire, Ia., died
Tuesday afternoon at St. Anthony’s Hospital, Rock Island. He lived at 2516 Fifth Avenue, Rock Island.
Mr. McCall was
49 years old, the son of the late Thomas and Margaret McCall. He was born Oct. 9, 1991, at LeClaire, where he lived for a number of years. He was married Aug. 6, 1912 to Miss Florence Dearden at Clinton, Ia.
The couple moved to Rock Island several years ago. Mr. McCall had been employed for the past 15
years at the Bettendorf shops on Bettendorf.
He was a
member of the Christian Church and of Davenport Lodge No. 28, L. O. O. M.
Surviving
besides the wife are one son, James McCall of Davenport; two sisters, Mrs. Mettie
Smith of Onlaska, Wis., and Mrs. Sadie Carver of ST.
Louis, Mo.; three brother, T.K. McCall of Santa Monica, Calif., J. P. McCall of
Jacksonville, Fla., and David McCall of Chicago, and two grandchildren, Betty
and David McCall of Davenport of Davenport.
The body was
brought here to the McGinnis mortuary where funeral services will be held
Thursday afternoon at 2 o’clock. Burial
will be in Glendale Cemetery, LeClaire.
The Daily Times, Wednesday, September 2, 1931, page 2.
Edmund H. McCall, Former Resident of LeClaire, Dies
____________
Edmund H.
McCall, 2516 Fifth Avenue, Rock Island, and a former resident of LeClaire, died at 12:30 p.m. yesterday at St. Anthony’s
Hospital, Rock Island, after a short illness.
Mr. McCall was
born in LeClaire on Oct. 9, 1881, the son of Thomas
and Margaret McCall. He married Miss
Florence Dearden on Aug. 6, 1912, in Clinton. For the past 15 years he had been employed at
the Bettendorf Co. Mr. McCall was a
member of the Christian Church and the Davenport Lodge of the Moose.
Surviving are
his widow, one son, James E. of Davenport; two sisters, Mrs. Mettie Smith of Onlaska, Wis.,
and Mrs. Sadie Carver of St. Louis, Mo.; three brothers, T. K. McCall of Santa
Monica, Calif., J. P. McCall of
Jacksonville, Fla., and David McCall of
Chicago, and two grandchildren, Betty and David McCall of Davenport.
The body was
taken to the McGinnis Funeral Home, where funeral services will be held at 2
p.m. Thursday. Burial will be in
Glendale Cemetery, LeClaire.
The Davenport Democrat and Leader, Friday Evening,
September 4, 1931.
The McCall Funeral
Funeral
services for Edmund H. McCall were held Thursday afternoon at 2 o’clock at the
McGinnis mortuary with Davenport Lodge, No. 28, L. O. O. M., in charge. The Rev. C. K. Gillum
officiated. Burial was in Glendale
Cemetery, LeClaire.
Fred W. Zabel, dictator of the Lodge, was in charge of the
ceremony, and was assisted by Edward U. Meyer, prelate. Louis Koenigsaecker,
accompanied by Mrs. George Westphal, sang “Beautiful
Isle of Somewhere” and “Nearer, My God, to Thee,” during the services.
Bearers were
Arthur Veach, Elmer Kelser,
William Pries, Charles Seward, Harry Langtimm and
Bert Seward.
The Daily Times, Friday, September 4, 1931, page 6.
McCall Funeral
Funeral
services for Edmund H. McCall were conducted yesterday at 2 p.m. at the
McGinnis Funeral Home. Davenport Lodge,
No. 28, Loyal Order of Moose, assisted in the services with Fred W. Zabel, dictator, and E. U. Meyer, prelate, in charge. Louis Koenigsacker,
accompanied by Mrs. George Westphal, sang, “Beautiful
Isle of Somewhere” and “Nearer My God to Thee.”
Rev. C. K. Gillum, pastor of the First
Christian Church, preached the sermon and officiated at the grave in Glendale
Cemetery, LeClaire.
Pallbearers were Arthur Veach, Elmer Keiser,
William Pries, Charles Seward, Harry Langtimm and Bert
Seward.
MCCAULEY JAMES “JIGGS”
Davenport Democrat and Leader, Monday Evening, May 18,
1942, page 15.
LECALRIE RIVER MAN MISSING; FEAR FOR HIS SAFETY
____________
“Jiggs” McCauley, old-time riverman
residing at LeClaire, is missing from his home and
relatives fear for his safety, Mayor Ferd Meyer
informed Sheriff Walter H. Beuse Monday as he asked
assistance in locating McCauley. The man
was last seen sitting on a barge tied to the river bank Sunday afternoon and
some fear was expressed that he may have drowned.
The Daily Times, Monday, May 18, 1942, page 4.
“JIGGS” M’CAULEY IS MISSING; LAST SEEN ABOARD BARGE
___________
James “Jiggs” McCauley, about 70, well-known LeClaire
fisherman and former town marshal, was today reported as “missing.” -- “Jiggs,” as he is known to hundreds up and down the
Mississippi river, was last seen at 1 p.m. Sunday, sitting on a barge anchored
in the river near LeClaire, according to a report
given to Sheriff Walter H. Beuse by F. G. Meyer,
mayor of LeClaire.
No report of
his whereabouts has been received, and it is thought he might have fallen off
the barge into the river and drowned.
Davenport Democrat and Leader, Monday, May 19, 1942,
page 15.
MISSING MAN FOUND IN RIVER NEAR LECLAIRE
____________
Body of J. McCauley Recovered by Search; Discount Foul
Play.
____________
The body of
James “Jiggs” McCauley, 72, long-time resident of LeClaire and veteran riverman,
was found in 10 feet of water in the Mississippi river near the north end of
town late Monday afternoon.
McCauley was
the victim of an accidental drowning, according to Coroner W. A. Hoepner, who said that a gash on the scalp about two inches
above the hair line apparently was due to a fall on a rock near the water’s
edge.
The body was
found by Louis McWilliams and Arp Gilbert, using clammer’s
hooks; on their third drag about 20 feet from the shore line.
The coroner
and Deputy Sheriff Joe Atkinson discounted rumors of foul play as the cause
said that they believed that McCauley slipped on rocks as he was walking along
the bank and fell, striking his head on a rock beneath the surface. He was reported to have been a good swimmer.
McCauley was
last seen about 1:30 p.m. Sunday by Roy Gilbert who, with Orrie
Hammond, was McCauley’s partners in sand barge work. Both Gilbert and Hammond are also residents
of LeClaire.
Gilbert told
authorities that he saw McCauley sitting near the railroad tracts which
parallel the river and that the latter said he wanted to get across the river
to Pt. Byron, Ill. Gilbert, who was on
his way home at the time, told McCauley he would return with his son in about
15 minutes and take him across.
When they
returned, Gilbert said, McCauley was nowhere in sight. They thought he might have wandered away but when
he did not appear for work Monday morning.
Mayor Ferd Meyer of LeClaire
and later Sheriff Walter H. Beuse were notified. Dragging of the river bottom in the vicinity
of where McCauley was last seen was then started and the body was recovered
about 3:40 p.m.
BORN IN PT. BYRON.
McCauley,
father of nine children, the youngest of whom is eight, was born in Port Byron,
Ill., September 25, 1869, and had made his home in LeClaire
for the last 31 years. On March 30,
1911, he was married in Davenport to Mary Myrtle Roberts.
Surviving are
the window; four daughters, Mrs. George Kensinger,
New Boston, Illinois; Mrs. Leslie Fullmer, LeClaire; Betty, Mitchelville,
and Mary, at home, and five sons, Kenneth, Moline; Wilford,
Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo.; Russell and Daniel, both at home, and John, residing in
New Jersey.
He also leaves
two sister, Mrs. Mabel Nelson, Albany, Ill., and Mrs. Grace Roberts, LeClaire, and five brothers, William and Hope W., both of
Rock Island; Sam, Davenport; J. A., Oconto Falls, Wis., and Cy, McGregor,
Ia. A brother, Wesley died five months
ago.
The body was
removed to the McGinnis funeral home and at 11 a.m. Thursday will be taken to
the Full Gospel tabernacle in LeClaire for services
at 2 p.m. Burial will be in Glendale
Cemetery, LeClaire.
The Daily Times, Tuesday, May 19, 1942, page 2.
Recover LeClaire Man’s Body
From Mississippi River
____________
The body of
James “Jiggs” McCauley, 72, well-known LeClaire fisherman and former town marshal, today had been
recovered from the Mississippi river.
McCauley’s
body was found by Louis McWilliams and Art Gilbert of LeClaire
with the use of a dragline about 4 p.m. Monday.
McCauley had been missing since about 1:30 p.m. Sunday. His body was found less than 20 feet from the
shore at LeClaire and deputy sheriffs found marks on
the bank, showing where the aged man had slipped on the gravel and apparently
had fallen into the river.
Officials said
there was a cut on his head, indicating that McCauley might have been knocked
unconscious by his fall.
Acting coroner
W. A. Hoepner said there will be no inquest as death
was due to accidental causes.
Born in
Port Byron
Mr. McCauley
was born in Port Byron, Ill., Sept. 25, 1869 and married Mary Myrtle Roberts in
Davenport, March 30, 1911. The couple
had made their home in LeClaire for 31 years.
Surviving are
his wife; four daughters, Mrs. George Kensinger of
New Boston, Mrs. Leslie Fullmer of LeClaire, Miss Betty McCauley of Mitchellville, Ia., and
Miss Mary McCauley, at home; five sons, Kenneth of Moline, Wilford
of the U. S. Army stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., Russell and Daniel, both
at home and John of New Jersey; two sisters, Mrs. Mabel Nelson of Albany, Ill.,
and Mrs. Grace Roberts of LeClaire; and five
brothers, William and Hope, both of Rock Island, Sam of Davenport, J. A.. of
Oconto Falls, Wis., and Cy of McGregor, Ia.
A brother, Wesley, died about five months ago.
The body was
taken to the McGinnis Funeral Home where it will remain until 11 a.m. Thursday
when it will be taken to the Full Gospel Tabernacle in LeClaire
where funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday. Burial will be in Glendale Cemetery, LeClaire.
Davenport Democrat and Leader, Thursday Evening, May
21, 1942, page 15.
THE MCCAULEY FUNERAL
Funeral
services for James “Jiggs” McCauley, of LeClaire, veteran riverman whose
body was found Monday in the Mississippi river north of LeClaire,
were held at 2 p.m. Thursday in the Full Gospel Tabernacle, LeClaire,
with Miss Edna Watson officiating.
Miss Watson
and Miss Alta Suiter sang. Burial was in Glendale Cemetery, LeClaire. The
McGinnis Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Bearers were
Robert Gilbert, Louis McWilliams, Robert Moore, Thomas Bagley, Claus Grapp and Ed Dreese.
The Daily Times, Thursday, May 21, 1942, page 8.
McCauley Funeral
Funeral
services for James A. McCauley were held at 2 p.m. today at the Full Gospel
Tabernacle, LeClaire, with Miss Edna Watson
officiating. Miss Watson and Miss Alice Suiter sang. The
pallbearers were Robert Gilbert, Louis McWilliams, Robert Moore, Thomas Bagley,
Claus Grapp and Ed Dreese. Burial was in Glendale Cemetery. The body was taken to the Tabernacle at 11
o’clock today by the McGinnis Funeral Home.
MC CONNELL JAMES
That season we had some very
high water and on trip down we got into LeClaire just
about time to change watch, so Little Jim and I told Mr. Carver and the other
fireman (I believe it was Carver’s son-in-law Jim McConnell: that we would stay
and cool her down and they could dress and be ready to go ashore as soon as we
landed. They did so going ashore with
the line….
You see we were victims of our
own goodness as it wasn’t our watch at all.
Little Jim and the Captain have been gathered to their father. Mr. Carver, Vital Burrow and Jim McConnell I
have lost track of. Brig Shannon and
Jack Bailey are living in LeClaire.--RECOLLECTIONS
OF A D SUMMERSCOLLECTED FROM “THE OLD BOATS” Additional Information from Men
Who Knew Them. The Saturday Evening Post, Burlington Iowa
The Davenport and Leader, Monday Evening, February 4,
1935, page 6
JAS. M’CONNELL, VET RIVERMAN, DIES, AGE 84
______________
Native of LeClaire Succumbs
in His Home in St. Louis.
______________
(Special to The Democrat.)
LeClaire, Ia., Feb. 4.--A. B. McConnell has received news
of the death of his brother, James McConnell, in St. Louis. The decedent was a fireman on river boats for
many years. He was born in LeClaire and served first on Van Sant
craft. In later years he had been a
stationary engineer in St. Louis. He was
84 years old.
MCDONALD
JOHN
Photo by Sue Rekkas
The Daily Times, Tuesday, December 4, 1906, page 7.
LeClaire,
Ia.,--Nov. 28.--John McDonald, employed several teams yesterday to move his
household effects to Davenport where they will make their home. Mr. McDonald has lived here for a long time
and is a well known river man.
The Daily Times, Wednesday, January 21, 1925, page 6.
JOHN
M’DONALD, VETERAN RIVER PILOT, SUMMONED
_____________
John McDonald,
827 Brown street, for more than 40 years a steamboat pilot on the Mississippi
river, passed away at 12:10 o’clock this morning at the U. S. Marine hospital
in Chicago. His death terminated a
lingering illness.
Mr. McDonald
was born at Albany, Ill., on April 16, 1858, and there on April 16, 1883, he
married Miss Louisa F. Underholt. He was a pilot on the Mississippi river for
more than forty years, the last fourteen of which he was on the Lone Star of
the Builder’s Lime & Cement Co. He was a member of Court of Honor and Camp
No. 32 of Albany of the . W. A. He came
to Davenport in 1907. Besides his wife
he is survived by two sons, Harry L. and Ray L McDonald, both of Davenport, one
daughter, Mrs. Orral Rivers of Los Angeles, Calif.,
two sisters, Mrs. B. L. Hanks of St. Paul, Minn., and Mrs. M. Ewing of Albany,
Ill.
Arrangements
for the funeral will be made on the arrival of the body in Davenport.
The Daily Times, Monday, January 26, 1925, page 6.
DEATH
NOTICES
McDonald
Funeral
The funeral of
Capt. John McDonald was held from the home, 827 Brown street, in Davenport,
Saturday afternoon. Rev. M. A. Getzendaner officiated at the home and at the grave in
Oakdale cemetery where interment took place.
The
pallbearers were H. Goos, M. Hanley, Capt. F. Wilson,
Edward Knochle, Capt. H. Witt and Capt. G. Case.
MCKEE ALMON
Photo by Bob Jones
Iowa
State Census 1856 Scott
County LeClaire
Age Sex Years in Iowa Where Born Occupation
McKee Almon
35 M 3 New York Engineer
Elizabeth 33 F 3 England
Emma 11 F
3 New York
Lucy 9 F 3 New York
Walter 8 M
3 New York
George 5 M
3 Wisconsin
DAVENPORT Daily Gazette, Saturday Morning, October 25,
1862 page 1.
DEATH OF A
CITIZEN OF LECLAIRE--It is reported that Mr. McKee of LeClaire was
killed by the rebels on the 18th inst., on the steamboat Gladiator,
while she lay at Connell Bend, twenty-five miles below Memphis, loading
cotton. Mr. McKee had resided at LeClaire several years where his family still live. He was long known to our river men, having
long been engaged as an engineer on the upper Mississippi. We have received the following account of the
manner of his death:
“It appears
that several of them came on board the boat, the boat on which McKee was
engineer, under pretence of being passengers and before the boat left the
landing they stabbed McKee and the fireman, and were about taking possession of
the boat when a gentleman passenger in reply to the Captain to know if there
was any one on board who could engineer, said, “I will if it costs me my life,”
and slid down the chain and commenced moving away from the landing, when the
wretches got away, except two, who had to take to the water and swim ashore.”
MCWILLIAMS LOUIS
1910 census
LeClaire Township LeClaire
Town County of Scott State of Iowa
McWilliams
Alexander Head 56 Laborer Stone Quarry
Gertrude Wife 57 none
Grace Daughter 19 none
Louis Son 22 Fireman River Steamer
Photo by Bob Jones
Times Democrat, November 13, 1970, page 24.
LOUIS MCWILLIAMS
Louis V.
McWilliams, 83, of 1204 N. 2nd. Street, LeClaire,
died Thursday in Mercy Hospital.
Services will
be 1 p.m. Saturday in the McGinnis Chapel, Bettendorf. Burial will be in Glendale Cemetery, LeClaire.
Visitation
begins at 2 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Mr. McWilliams
had been a commercial fisherman.
He was born in
Cedar County, Iowa. He married Olive Suiter in 1917 in Davenport. She died in 1951.
Mr. McWilliams
is survived by daughters, Mrs. Walter (Olive) Knapper,
Long Grove; sons, Louis, Bettendorf, and Lee, DeWitt, Iowa; 24 grandchildren,
and 21 great-grandchildren.
MADIN NATHEN
1880 Census Town of LeClaire County of Scott State of Iowa
Carter
Thomas 59 Watchman on River
Eliza 58 Wife Housekeeping
Madin Nathan 14 Grandson at School
The Davenport Democrat and Leader, Friday Evening,
April 1, 1921.
RIVERMAN OF FORMER YEARS PASSES AWAY
___________
Nathan Madin, Engineer on
Mississippi Waters, Dies at Drexel, M.
___________
Another of
river’s picturesque characters, and a man long identified with the LeClaire boat traffic, has passed away. Word has been received here of the death at
Drexel, Mo., on March 22, of Nathan Madin.
For many years
he was on the Mississippi boats, and was well known in LeClaire. Death was due to apoplexy. Born in St. Louis, January 8, 1866, he was
united in marriage in 1891, with Miss Jessie Wright of LeClaire.
He leaves
three children, Mrs. Van Black of Drexel, Misses Jessie and Lenore at home, his
aged mother, Mrs. Maggie Madin and six sisters, Mrs.
Annie Kay of St. Louis, Mrs. Bertha Stiff of Davenport, Mrs. Blanche Light of
Hampton, Ill., Mrs. Lillie Watkins of Pleasant Valley, Ia., Mrs. Lisa Stiff of
Tipton, Ia., and Miss Grace at Drexel.
The Daily Times, Friday, April 1, 1921, page 11.
DEATH CLAIMS NATHAN MADIN, RIVER ENGINEER
____________
Nathan Madin, for many years engineer on the Mississippi river
boats, and well known in LeClaire, died March 22 at
his home in Drexel, Mo., and was buried there.
He was
stricken with apoplexy while at work cleaning his automobile and died in a few
minutes. He was born in St. Louis Jan.9,
1866, and married Miss Jessie Wright of LeClaire June
17, 1891. She died Dec. 25, 1919.
He leaves
three children, Mrs. Van Black of Drexel, Misses Jessie and Lenore at home, his
aged mother, Mrs. Maggie Madin and six sisters, Mrs.
Annie Kay of St. Louis, Mrs. Bertha Stiff of Davenport, Mrs. Blanch Light of
Hampton, Ill., Mrs. Lillie Watkins of Pleasant Valley, Ia., and Miss Grace at
Drexel.
He was a
member of the Odd Fellows, Rebekahs, Modern Woodmen,
Engineers organization and of the Drexel Club.
After running
on the Mississippi river for many years he spent 16 years on the Yukon.
METZGER BENJAMIN CAPTAIN
1900 Census
LeClaire Township LeClaire
city County of Scott State of Iowa
Name
Relationship When Born Age Occupation Where born
Metzger
Benjamin Head Dec, 1863 37 River Pilot New York
Lelah wife May 1866 34 Housewife Iowa
Arther W son Oct. 1895 6 At home Iowa
“J. W. VAN SANT”
Stern-wheel
rafter built at LeClaire, Iowa, 1890, by the LeClaire Navigation Company to take the place of the
“Silver Wave,” worn out. The new “Van Sant” was 140.0 feet long and 30.0 feet beam, 4.5 feet
hold; 228.63 ton. George Tromley, Jr., came out on her as captain and pilot and ran
her for thirteen seasons, consecutively, with James Lyone,
of Albany, Ills., as mate, James Steadman (Stedman) was chief engineer for a
long time. Other officers who served on
her for a short periods were Robert Mitchell and John O’Conner as masters,
Charles Trombley as second pilot, Ben Metzger as mate
and Frank A. Whitney as assistant engineer.
She was owned by the Van Sant company as long
as she ran. She was burned at Wabasha,
Minn., while in winter quarters in 1910. -- Steamboats and Seamboatmen of the Upper Mississippi by George B.
Merrick. The Saturday Evening Post of
Burlington, Iowa, July 29, 1916.
Davenport Republican, Sunday, August 25, 1901, page 5.
LeClaire
Captain B. J. Metzger is home for a few days visit.
The Democrat and Leader, February 11, 1947, page 9.
CAPT. METZGER RIVER CAPTAIN DIES IN FLORIDA
____________
Worked on River for 36 years As Captain of Engineer
Boats.
____________
Capt. Benjamin
J. Metzger, 84, formerly of LeClaire and a colorful
and well known river captain, died at
His home in Gardner, Fla., Friday, according to word
received here.
Captain
Metzger was born in Troy, New York, Dec. 25, 1863 and came to this county with
his parents at an early age. On March
25, 1895, he went to work for the army engineers and worked for the government
continuously until his retirement on January 1, 1932 when he moved with his
family to Florida.
The Captain’s
first job with the engineers was as a watchman, but he studied river navigation
and finally became a master and pilot having command of several engineer’s
boats. Most of his work was in what was
then known as the northern field area and he moved from LeClaire
to Dubuque to be nearer to the scene of operations. He also lived in Keokuk for a time. His last command before retiring was the
steamer Elinor.
Surviving are
the widow, the former Lelah Rambo, member of the
well-known steamboat family, a son, Ward at home; two grandchildren; a sister,
Mrs. Julia Philips of Davenport and several nieces and nephews.
The Daily Times, Tuesday, February 11, 1947, page 10.
Death Notices
Metzger
Word has been
received by relatives here of the death of Captain B. J. Metzger, former LeClaire resident, which occurred Friday at his home in
Gardner, Fla.
Captain
Metzger was born December 26, 1862 and at one time had resided in Dubuque.
Survivors
include his wife, the former Lelah Rambo of LeClaire; a son Ward Metzger, at home; a sister, Julia
Philips, Davenport and several nieces and nephews.
MOORE SAMUEL
The Daily Times, Friday, July 8, 1910, page 4.
MOORE
Samuel Moore,
an old resident of LeClaire, Iowa, passed away at
2:30 o’clock Thursday afternoon at his home in LeClaire,
after a lingering illness of heart trouble and other complications. He was 73 years of age.
Mr. Moore was
born in August, 1836, near Marietta, O., and served during the Civil War in an
Ohio regiment. He was married soon after
the war to an Illinois lady; and settled in LeClaire
shortly thereafter. He has made his home
there ever since, and was employed in the boat yards the greater part of the
time.
Besides his
wife, three sons and four daughters survive him, as follows: Samuel of Clinton, Robert of LeClaire, Hobart of Davenport, Mrs. William Slabby of Iowa City, Mrs. W. Young of Fort Madison, Mrs.
Frank Sanders of LeClaire and Miss Bessie Moore at
home.
The funeral
announcements will be made later.
LECLAIRE
______
Leo Van Hein
left Thursday morning for Dubuque to assist in the engine room on the steamer
Eclipse, during the absence of Robert Moore, who is in LeClaire
on account of the illness and death of his father, Samuel Moore.
The Daily Times, Saturday, July 9, 1910, page 15.
LECLAIRE
LECLAIRE, Ia.,
July 9.--Leo Von Hein left for Dubuque Thursday Morning where he will take the
place of Robert Moore as engineer on the steamer Eclipse, Mr. Moor having been
called home on account of the serious
illness of his father.
MOORE WILLIAM (BILLY)
Davenport Gazette, Wednesday, April 2, 1879, page 1.
TOWN AND COUNTRY.
_____________
LeClaire
LeClaire,
March 37, 1879.
The ferry boat
will be launched today and commence operations.
She has been thoroughly repainted and looks new and staunch. Billy Moore continues in command.
WYTHE.
From Clinton Rivermen by Georgeann McClure
Moore rites on Thursday, May 4, 1932
Old River Captain’s Rites to Be at Home
Clinton Ia. May 4--Funeral services for Captain
William Moore former riverman, will be conducted in
the home Thursday at 2:30 o’clock by the Rev. S. V. Williams. Mr. Moore will be laid to rest in Oakland
beside his wife, who died last week.
Captain Moore
was born Dec. 16, 1851, in Pennsylvania.
He came to LeClaire as a Boy and began his
work on the river when he was about 13 years old. He was captain on various boats including a
packet that ran from LeClaire to Dubuque many
years. He had been retired 16
years. His marriage to Georgianna White of LeClaire was
solemnized in Davenport in 1876, and they lived there until 1889, when he came
here.
Captain Moore
was a member of De Molay consistory here, Kaaba Temple, Davenport, and the LeClaire
Blue Lodge of Masons, also the Odd Fellows Lodge of LeClaire.
The Daily Times, Tuesday, May 3, 1932, page 15.
Capt. Wm. Moore Taken by Death At Clinton, Ia.
CLINTON,
Ia. May 3.--(Special)--Captain William M. Moore, pioneer riverman, died this morning in his home, 94 Twenty-fifth
avenue, after many weeks of suffering with pneumonia.
He followed
his wife by one week. Both became ill
about the same time. They came to
Clinton after their marriage in 1876 in Davenport. Survivors are two daughters and a son, Mrs. Hazel
Campbell; Mrs. L. K. Russell, Clinton, and Archibald, Kansas City.
The Davenport Democrat and Leader. Tuesday Evening,
May 3, 1932, page 21.
CAPT. MOORE, CLINTON, DIES
_________
Follows His Wife by One Week; Ill Many Weeks.
_________
Special to the Democrat
Clinton, Ia.,
May 3--Captain William M. Moore, pioneer riverman,
died this morning in his home 94 Twenty-fifth avenue north, after many weeks of
suffering of pneumonia.
He followed
his wife by one week. Both took sick
about the same time. They came to
Clinton after their marriage in 1875 in Davenport. Survivors are two daughters and a son, Mrs.
Hazel Campbell, Mrs. L. K. Russell, Clinton; and Archibald, Kansas City.
NESBITT LAWRENCE
The Daily Times, July 30, 1926, page 28.
LAWRENCE NESBITT OF LE CLAIRE DEAD
__________
LECLAIRE, Ia., July 30.--(Special)--Lawrence M. Nesbitt, 47 years of
age, died at his home at 10:45 p. m. yesterday after an illness of
short duration of gallstones.
Mr. Nesbitt was born in Le Claire Sept. 23, 1878, and had spent his
entire life in Le Claire and vicinity. He was known as Larry by his
many friends in Le Claire and Princeton.
He married Miss Cora Thompson, daughter of Charles Thompson of
Princeton in November 1905. He was a member of the Woodmen of the
World and of the Davenport aerie of the Eagles. He had been employed
for a number of years on government work on the river.
Surviving are his wife and his mother, Mrs. H. G. Noddle
of Dixley,
O. Funeral services will be held from the home at 1 p. m., Sunday.
Burial will be in Glendale cemetery.
The Davenport Democrat and Leader, July 30, 1926, page 11.
L. M. NESBITT, LE CLAIRE, DIES AFTER
ILLNESS
_________
Lawrence M. Nesbitt died at his home in LeClaire
Thursday at 9:30 p.
m. after a short illness.
He was born Sept. 23, 1878 in Le Claire and received his education
there. He was occupied as a U. S. engineer on the government river
boats. On Nov. 29, 1906 he was married to Miss Cora Ellis Thompson at
Princeton, who survives.
Mr. Nesbitt was a member of the F. O. E. and the Woodmen of the World.
The funeral will be held Sunday at 1 p. m. from the late home.
Interment will be in Glendale cemetery, Le Claire.
The Davenport Democrat and Leader, August 2, 1926, page 13.
OBITUARY
The Nesbitt Funeral.
Funeral rites were conducted for Lawrence N. Nesbitt at the late
residence in Le Claire. The Rev. R. L. Whitmore was in charge at the
home and at the grave in Glendale cemetery.
The pallbearers were William Freehan, Leonard Holdorf, Russell
Brown, Edward Cassily, Carl Reinhart, and Harold McFate.
REITER JOHN
Photos by Robert Jones
1910 U S Census, Sate of Iowa, Scott County, LeClaire Township, LeClaire Town
Name
Age Occupation
Reiter
John Head 44 Fireman River Steamer
Eva Wife 44 none
Raymond Son 14 none
Davenport Democrat and Leader, Monday, November 26,
1923, page 15.
OBITUARY
_______
The Reiter Funeral
Funeral
services for J. Reiter, who passed away November 22 at Mount Pleasant, Iowa, at
the age of 57 years, were held Saturday afternoon at his home in LeClaire at 2 o’clock.
Rev W. E.
Green officiated assisted by Rev. J.T. Stewart, Pallbearers were F. E. Speer,
Clifford Stone, J. A. Teeters, J. V. Pollock, Edward Strohbehn
and C. C. Hieman.
Interment was
in Glendale cemetery, LeClaire, Iowa.
The Daily Times, Monday, November 26, 1923, page 6.
Death Notices
________
Reiter Funeral
The funeral of
John Reiter of LeClaire who died at Mt. Pleasant on
November 22, was held at 2 o’clock yesterday from the home on LeClaire. Rev. W. E.
Green, assisted by Rev. J. T. Stewart, officiated. Pallbearers were F. E. Speer, Clifford Stone,
J. A. Teeter, J. V. Pollock, Edward Strohbehn and C.
C. Hillman. Interment was in Glendale
cemetery. Mrs. Reiter was 57 years of
age at the time of his death.
RHOADS SARAH
“…Trombley, who
didn’t need a second at all as he was practically on watch all of the time.
I really believe he averages three hours of
sleep a say during the season and he had Aunt Sarah Rhoades at her wit’s ends
preparing delicacies to tempt his appetite as she was not used to having her
cooking turned down and it worried her. She used to come around at breakfast
and say: “Now Georgie, what shall I fix for your
dinner?” and “Georgie” would say, “Oh, I don’t know,
just make me so and so” probably some little tidbit she used to make for him
when he was a little barefooted toddler and Aunt Sarah would put in a good part
of the morning fixing up fancy dishes only to have him say, “Yes, that’s nice
and I appreciate it but I am not very hungry today,” and do you know I have
seen him when he was “roistering” on the Silver Wave in the old days just grab
the batter cake plate out of the slush cook’s hand as he came in the door and
we didn’t get a cake until he had about cleaned up our daily quota…”
“His
appetite was also poor and I recall distinctly how assiduously his Aunt Sarah
Rhodes who was cook at the time used to prepare him little delicacies such as
he liked when a boy to tempt his appetite and how he tried to make her think he
enjoyed them.”--RECOLLECTIONS OF A. D. SUMMERS
Collected From “THE OLD BOATS” Additional Information from Men Who Knew
Them, The Saturday Evening Post, Burlington,
Iowa
1870 Census LeClaire City Scott County State of Iowa
Age Occupation Place of birth
Rhodes Stephen 36 Raft Pilot Mo
Sarah 21 Keeps house La
Charles G 3
Minn
Mary Belle 2
Mo
Maham
Mahala
10
Mo
1880 Census
Town of LeClaire County of Scott State of Iowa
Rhodes Stephen 44
River Pilot
Sarah 30 wife Housekeeping
Glenny 13 son At School
Belle 12 daughter At School
Luella 3 daughter At Home
John 1 son At Home
1885 State Census
Town of LeClaire County of Scott
Rhodes Sarah 34 W
Glenn 18 S Laborer
Belle 17 S
Luella 8 S
John 6 S
Goldy 3 S
..James and Mary (Murray)
McCaffrey, natives of Ireland, who emigrated to the United States when the
Captain was a mere child, and located in St. Louis, where he resided until his
death, which occurred in 1850. Mother
died about the same time leaving a family of five children, viz:
Mary (now the wife of Henry Spinsby), Phillip, Kate
(now the wife of George Trumley (Tromley), Sarah,
(now the wife of Stephen Rhodes), and John.—“From the History of Scott County, Iowa 1882 Chicago: Interstate
Publishing Co.”
The Daily Times, Tuesday,
September 25, 1928, page 21.
DEATH NOTICES
Roads
Mrs. Sarah J. Roads, 75 years old, died at 6
a.m. at the home of her daughter, Mrs. J. B. Gordon, Moline locks, Rock Island
arsenal, following an illness of five week’s duration with complications. Sarah J. McCaffrey was born in New Orleans,
La., on Dec. 17, 1852, where she married Stephen Roads sixty-one years
ago. Since that time has resided in Rock
Island and at the arsenal.
She is survived by one son and three
daughters, Mrs. J. B. Gordon, Rock Island arsenal, Mrs. James Duncan, Moline,
and Mrs. Theo. Olson, Rock Island, six grandchildren and four great
grandchildren. Funeral services will be
conducted at 10 a.m. Thursday from the Danielson & Furgie
funeral home, Rev. W. G. Oglevee, pastor of the South
Park Presbyterian church of Rock Island, will officiate. Burial will be in Riverside cemetery.
DEATH NOTICES
ROLFS CLAUS C.
1880 Census
Town of LeClaire County of Scott State of Iowa
Name Age Relationship Occupation
Rolfs Maupeter
62 Farmer
Mary 47 wife Housekeeping
Claus 21 son Laborer
Henry 15 son at school
August 12 son at school
Mary 11 daughter at school
William 9 son at school
Fritz 7 son at school
The Davenport Democrat and Leader, Sunday Morning,
September 14, 1930, page 9.
CLAUS ROLFS, PIONEER COUNTY RESIDENT, DIES
___________
Former LeClaire Resident
Succumbs After a Prolonged Illness.
___________
Claus C.
Rolfs, 70, 739 Sylvan Avenue, a pioneer resident of Scott County died at 10
o’clock Friday night at the family home.
Death terminated an illness of three year’s duration. Funeral services will be held at the home at
3 o’clock this afternoon, with interment in St. Marguerite’s Cemetery. The family requests that flowers be omitted.
Mr. Rolfs was
born in LeClaire, Ia., Mar. 4, 1859. On October 14, 1896, he was united in
marriage with Miss Kate E. Hanley, sister of Attorney J. A. Hanley, of this
city.
His father,
Mass P. Rolfs, came from north Germany to Scott County in 1851 and died here
about 30 years ago. His mother lived
several years later.
Five children
survived their parents, viz: P. H. Rolfs, P. H. D., Brazil, South America;
Dr. J. A. Rolfs, Aplington, Ia.; Dr. W. F. Rolfs, Mullen, Idaho; F. W. Rolfs,
P. H. D., Stillwater, Okla.; and Mary M. Schuck,
Aplington, Ia.
Eldest of Children.
C. C. Rolfs
was the oldest of the children, and thru his efforts, his brothers and sisters
all graduated at the State Agriculture college, Ames, Iowa. He furnished his brothers and sisters the
money to go thru college and when this was accomplished, he was unable
financially to take a college course for himself. A wonderful sacrifice he made for his
brothers and sisters and in later life the money he had advanced was returned
with interest.
P. H. Rolfs,
brother of the deceased, for many years was at the head of the agriculture
department of the state of Florida, and for the last 10 years has been in the
employ of the government of Brazil in an effort to put that country on the same
agriculture basis as the United States.
Started Life on River.
C. C. Rolfs
started life like many of the LeClaire boys by
working on the river, and he followed the river for many years in the employ of
the Weyerhaeuser and Denkman line of raft boats as a
clerk and watchman.
His services were so highly appreciated by his
employers that they changed him from the steamboats to the management of their
lumber yard in Davenport known as the White Yard where he was employed for a
period of about 15 years.
Reared in
poverty in his native town of LeClaire and by his own
efforts he accumulated large property holdings in Davenport and owned stock in
various corporations.
He was the
soul of honor in all of his business dealings.
He was a constant reader of the writings of great men and was also a
student of politics though never striving to office holdings.
He enjoyed the
confidence and respect of his LeClaire friends to as
great a degree as any native of that community.
He was
tolerant in all things and respected all forms of belief by others even though
he disagreed with them.
After the
death of his father and mother, his brothers and sisters looked up to him as
their own father, and he guided all of them to success though sacrificing his
own desire of obtaining an education.
The Daily Times, Saturday, September 13, 1930, page 2.
CLAUS C. ROLFS, PIONEER SCOTT CO, RESIDENT IS DEAD
__________
Claus C. Rolfs,
70, a pioneer resident of Scott County, died at 10 p.m. Friday at the family
home, 739 Sylvan Avenue, Davenport, after an illness of the last three years.
The decedent
was born March 4, 1859 in LeClaire, Ia., the son of
the late Mr. and Mrs. Mass P. Rolfs, early settlers in Scott County. He was the oldest of the children and through
his efforts made it possible for his brothers and sisters to graduate from the
State Agriculture College at Ames. P. H.
Rolfs, a brother of the deceased, was for many years head of the agriculture
department of the state of Florida, and for the last ten years has been
employed by the government at Brazil in an effort to put the country on the
same agriculture basis as the United States.
Mr. Rolfs
spent his boyhood days by working on the river and for a number of years was
employed on the raft boats of the Weyerhaeuser & Denkman
line. Later he was made manager of the
White Yard where he was employed for 15 years.
On October 14, 1896, he married Miss Kate E, Hanley, sister of Attorney
J. A. Hanley of Davenport.
Surviving
besides his wife are four brothers, P. H. Rolfs of Vicosa,
in Brazil, Dr. J. A. Rolfs of Aplington, Ia., Dr. W. F. Rolfs, of Mullan, Idaho, and F. W. Rolfs of Stillwater, Okla., and
one sister, Mrs. Mary C. Schuck of Aplington.
The body was
then to the McGinnis funeral home and will be returned to the family home, 739
Sylvan Avenue. Burial will be in St.
Marguerite’s Cemetery. The family
requests that flowers be omitted.
RUTLEDGE HERBERT
1870 Census State of
Iowa Scott County LeClaire City
Rutledge Herbert
25 Boat Caulker
Rutledge Herbert
25 Boat Caulker
Susie 18 Milliner
Sarah 57
Carrie 20
Old Times on the Mississippi
By J. D. Barnes
Port Byron Globe April 4, 1935.
“The next boat from the south after the Canada brought
another installment of LeClaire boys into
Stillwater. It appears that …and Herb
Rutledge had been calking down at La Crosse, but business being rather dull
they came up to Stillwater for the purpose of rafting, so the place was well
represented.”
From LeClaire Rivermen
by Georgeann McClure and Susan Rekkas
The Davenport Democrat and Leader, Friday Evening, March 16, 1934, page
21.
Obituary
____
Herbert Rutledge
Herbert Rutledge, 320, of 2527
Grant street, died at 5 o’clock this morning after a week’s illness. The body is to be taken to the F. N. Pape chapel today, but is to taken home late today. The funeral will be held Sunday afternoon
from the family home. Burial will be in LeClaire, former home of the decedent.
Mr. Rutledge was born in the
east, but came to Iowa when a youth and spent many years in LeClaire
before coming to Clinton. He leaves his
wife, a daughter, Mrs. Lou Gerten of Fulton, Ill.,
and a son, Charles Klaes, of this city.
The Daily Times, Saturday, March 17, 1943, page 11.
HERBERT RUTLEDGE, PLAYMATE OF CODY DEAD IN CLINTON
_________
Special to The Daley Times
(Special)--Herbert W.
Rutledge, who died yesterday at his home here, was a chum of William F.
(“Buffalo Bill”) Cody, and of former Governor Sam Van Sant
of Minnesota. He spent his boyhood and
early manhood in LeClaire and the future plainsman
and governor were his near neighbors.
Mr. Rutledge was 90 years of
age. He was born in London. Eng., March
23, 1844, and was brought to America by his parents when he was a child of
three. They reached Davenport 87 years
ago and the following year moved to LeClaire.
He leaves his widow, two
daughters, Mrs. Louis Gerten of Fulton and Mrs.
Charles Klaes of Clinton; five grandchildren, John Gerten of Clinton, Pauline and Rosemary Gerten
of Fulton, and Charles and Mervin Klaes of this city,
and a great grandchild, Peggy Rae Gerten, also of
Clinton. Charles E. Russell of
Washington, D. C., writer is his nephew.
A niece, Alice Robinson of Davenport and several nieces in Minneapolis
also survive him.
The Davenport Democrat and Leader, Sunday Morning, March 18, 1934, page
10.
Herb Rutledge Was Friend of “Buffalo Bill”
__________
Special to the Democrat
Clinton, Ia. March 17.--Herbert
W. Rutledge, who died yesterday at his home, 2527 Grant street, was an old-time
chum of William F. (“Buffalo Bill”) Cody, and of former Governor San Van Sant of Minnesota.
He spent his boyhood and early manhood in LeClaire,
Iowa, and the future plainsman and governor were his near neighbors.
Mr. Rutledge was 90 years of
age. He was born in London. Eng, March
23, 1844 and was brought to America by his parents when he was a child of
three. They reached Davenport 87 years ago,
and the following year moved to LeClaire.
He leaves his widow, two
daughters, Mrs. Louis Gerten of Fulton and Mrs.
Charles Klaes of Clinton; five grandchildren, John Gerten of Clinton, Pauline and Rosemary Gerten
of Fulton, and Charles and Marvin Klaes of this city,
and a great grandchild, Peggy Rae Gerten, also of
Clinton. Charles Russell of Washington,
D. C., widely known book and magazine writer, is his nephew. A niece, Alice Robinson of Davenport and
several nieces in Minneapolis also survive him.
CAPTAIN JON SMITH AND THE ROYAL ARCH
In the spring
of 1856 she was put into the run between Rock Island and Dubuque, together with
the Greek Slave, the boats making a daily line between the two cities. Captain Jon. J. Smith, of LeClaire,
familiarly known as Blacksmith, was in charge of the Royal Arch. Every old timer knew John J. Smith, one of
the best rapids pilots who ever turned a wheel, many steam boatmen claimed he
was the very best of the rapids pilots; and if it were possible to demonstrate
such a preposition the claim might have been prove. In any case, he was as good as the best. Captain Smith was unfortunate with the Royal
Arch, however, as she picked up a snag and sank near the foot of Nine Mile
Island, below Dubuque in 1856, with total loss.--The Saturday Evening Post,
Burlington, Iowa, July 13, 1918.
Steamboats and Steamboatmen of the Upper
Mississippi by George B. Merrick.